We have 10 Exhibitor Spaces available. The Exhibitors will be set up in the area where the Networking Reception takes place as well as food and beverage service during the 2 days. 

Included with the Exhibitor Space:

• 1 six foot skirted table
• 2 chairs
• 1 delegate registration 
• area is wide enough for your 10' pop up trade show display

There is no pipe and drape. Move in and set up is available on Monday, April 20. Electricity and monitors can be rented at additional charge directly from the venue's exhibitor services. Exhibitor spots will be assigned based on the order they are purchased.

Any questions? Email Leann@abcmi.ca.

We have a discounted room block available at the Vancouver Marriott Pinnacle Downtown Hotel 1128 West Hastings, Vancouver, BC, V6E 4R5

Reservations can be made at this link: Association of BC Marine Industries ABCMI - Start your reservation

The deadline for reservations is March 19, 2026. 

ABCMI & COAST Defence & Security Innovation Forum Agenda 

Dates:  Tuesday, April 21 and Wednesday, April 22, 2026 

Location: Vancouver Convention Centre West Building, 1055 Canada Pl, Vancouver, BC 

Day 1 (Tuesday, April 21)

08:00:  Welcome Desk & Trade Show Opens – coffee available

09:00 – 09:10: ABCMI & COAST Opening Remarks – Alex Rueben & Jason Goldsworthy

09:10 – 09:30: Opening Address – RAdm David Patchell, Commander Maritime Forces Pacific/Joint Task Force Pacific

09:30 – 10:40: Panel # 1 – Innovation for the Royal Canadian Navy and Canadian Coast Guard

• Description
  • With a rapidly changing defence and security environment, what are the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) and the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) looking for in terms of new technologies and innovations?  As they maintain and lengthen the life of legacy fleets while transitioning to new fleet assets, what are the types of issues they are looking to resolve so that industry can understand how to provide solutions and innovative products and services that meet the needs of the RCN and CCG?  What new capabilities does the CCG require as it assumes its additional roles within the Department of National Defence in the context of Canadian security and sovereignty?

10:40 – 11:40: Panel #2 – The new world of defence and how it will spur innovation

• Description
  • With the new geopolitical landscape and the commitment from Canada to increase defence spending to meet NATO targets, this panel will discuss how Canada’s Department of National Defence is setting itself up to spur innovation through programming, investment and opportunities; and what this will mean for SMEs and industry in general wanting to pursue this sector. How does Canada’s participation in NATO DIANA and the establishment of the BOREALIS Initiative with its establishment of a Maritime Defence Innovation Secure Hub (DISH), the first of a national network of secure hubs, support innovation efforts?

11:40 - 13:00: Lunch/Networking Break (80 Min)

13:00 – 14:00: Panel # 3 – Innovation and the Industrial Technical Benefit Perspective from Industry

• Description
  • Corporations bidding on large ($100M +) Canadian defence contracts incur obligations under Canada’s Industrial and Technological Benefits (ITB) policy.  The ITB obligation is aligned with a Value Proposition where one of the key pillars is Research & Development in boosting technological innovation and fostering economic growth.  What are the companies, who hold ITB obligations, thinking and looking for in terms of projects and investments where they can work with SMEs and others to help fund innovation?

14:00 – 15:00: Panel # 4 – Advancing along the TRL progression spectrum

• Description
  • A discussion on how companies are advancing along the Tiered Readiness Level (TRL) timeline including what they are doing to make this a reality and where they see the gaps.  Examples will be given on what a TRL advancement timeline looks like in this space and who is set up to support companies to achieve advancement.  Finally, what does a measure of TRL actually provide in making innovation work?

15:00 - 15:30: Coffee/Networking Break (30 Min)

15:30 – 16:30: Panel # 5 – Funding to advance innovation  

• Description
  • This panel will dive into where there is funding to support innovation and how it is deployed to help SMEs and industry alike to support their innovation goals.  Examples will be given on how funding has been secured and how applicable each funding source actually is to different forms or stages of innovation.

16:30 – 17:00: Panel # 6 – What does maritime Defence and Security look like in British Columbia?  

• Description
  • This panel will provide a brief perspective from the leadership of the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) and the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) on Canada’s Pacific Coast as to what are the issues and challenges to consider when looking at maritime defence and security in Canadian waters.  How do they safeguard and ensure Canadian sovereignty and how do new innovation and technologies assist them in their tasks?
• Moderator:
  • Alex Rueben, Executive Director ABCMI 
• Panelists:
  • RAdm David Patchell,  Commander Maritime Pacific Forces & Joint Task Force (Pacific)
  • Derek Moss, Assistant Commissioner – Western Region, Canadian Coast Guard 

Networking Reception 17:00 – 19:00 (in Trade Show area)

Location: Vancouver Convention Centre West Building, 1055 Canada Pl, Vancouver, BC

Day 2 (Wednesday, April 22)

07:30: Trade Show & Welcome Desk opens (along with light Breakfast) 

08:30 – 08:35:  Opening Remarks – Jason Goldsworthy & Alex Rueben 

08:35 – 08:50:  Featured Speaker – Derek Moss, Assistant Commissioner, Western Region, Canadian Coast Guard 

08:50 – 10:00:  Industry Showcase - Ventures who are in the market and are scaling up

• Moderator: Alex Rueben, Executive Director ABCMI
• Participants TBD 

10:00 - 10:30: Coffee/Networking Break (30 Min)

10:30 – 12:00:  Startup Showcase – Ventures who are starting out (includes introduction to Ocean Tech Live – Demo Day on Thursday April 23, 2026)

• Moderator: Jason Goldsworthy, Executive Director COAST
• Participants TBD 

12:00 - 13:20: Lunch/Networking Break (80 Min)

13:20 – 14:20: Panel # 7 – The new DIS workforce – what are we in need of and how to do we fill the gaps?

• Description
  • As Canada implements its new Defence Industrial Stategy (DIS), a key component will be building and sustaining a highly skilled workforce that can support Canada’s defence industrial base.  What skills are going to be needed coming up to support growth in the defence and foster innovation?  The workforce that we require will require a wide of variety of skills including trades and STEM occupations.  What are the trends and where are the gaps, and what are the strategies to fill these gaps?

14:20 – 15:20: Panel # 8 – AI in the Maritime Industry – What are companies doing to advance the use of AI? 

• Description
  • Artificial Intelligence (AI) helps companies scale by automating manual, repetitive tasks to increase productivity, enhancing decision-making with real-time analytics, and improving customer experiences through personalized support.  It reduces operating costs, optimizesresources, improves cybersecurity, and accelerates growth by enabling faster, data-driven operational decisions.  What can we learn from companies that have implemented AI in their operations and what can AI do for companies working in Canada’s maritime industry?

15:20:  Concluding remarks - Board Presidents for ABCMI & COAST